A number of congregations have been active in creating programs to explore the Peacemaking Congregational Study/Action Issue (CSAI) adopted at the 2006 General Assembly (and eligible for adoption as a Statement of Conscience at the 2009 GA). The Peacemaking CSAI Core Team, a group of volunteers helping to facilitate the CSAI process, has drawn on congregations' experiences to invite all congregations to undertake the following activities for the coming year. We hope your congregation will become involved.

1) Peacemakers Book Discussion Program - Borrowing from the experience of First UU San Diego, all UUs are invited to join in reading one peacemaking-related book each month and partici- pating in discussion groups within congregations. (suggested books: Gandhi: The Man by Eknath Easwaren; Speak Peace in a World of Conflict: What You Say Next Will Change Your World by Marshall B Rosenberg; Peace Is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh - more book titles available on uua.org/social justice)

2) Peacemaking Education - A guide entitled Peacemaking in Congregations: Guide to Learning Opportunities for All Ages has been developed to provide RE and group leaders a list of peacemaking curricula and other resources that are available from a variety of organizations. WE are requesting that congregations use one or more of these and provide assessments of the particular resources, so that the best resources can be identified and rec-

ommended for use in 2008-09. The Guide will continue to evolve as we receive input. Peacemaking in Congregations is now available at www.uure.org and at the Commission on Social Witness website accessible by going to uua.org/socialjustice and checking the What's New box.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you are straining your brain to figure out how to pronounce the word above or what it means, give yourself a break. Newsflash: it is not a word! It's an acronym!! OK, get those little gray cells revved up again: So what does it stand for? ............ You'll never guess in a million years, so I will tell you. Ahem: Unitarian Fellowship of Longview Christian Covenant Group. There! And don't ever forget it!!

All that was in preparation for the next blurb.

Jay Noble

We did have our meeting last Friday January 18th at 7pm at the Fellowship. Tom and Betty and I were there and we heard Lois Nasados. She discussed her spiritual journey. Despite the small turnout, Lois was cheerful and we really enjoyed her presentation.

All those interested in discussing Christianity are welcome to join us the third Friday of every month.

In March of 2005, fire destroyed the rented space Westside had leased for 9 years. Westside met at Temple Bethel for the balance of 2005 and began sharing space with then building-owners Angel of Hope Christian Church at 901 Page Avenue in January of 2006. In March of 2007, with the support of NTAUUS and Westside’s members and friends, Westside accomplished a "first" with the purchase of real estate at 901 Page Avenue in historic Ryan Place. As Westside approaches the one-year anniversary of closing on the purchase of 901 Page Street, they are dedicating their building and celebrating both the calling of a full-time minister and a more than 25% membership growth in the past year.

Westside’s new property was the home of Unity Church of Fort Worth for many years. Angel of Hope, a progressive and welcoming Disciples of Christ church, bought the property from Unity and later provided a new home for a Montessori Pre-School

previously housed at the adjacent St. John’s Episcopal Church. The Montessori Pre-School remains at Westside as a tenant and a fulfillment of Westside’s mission. Westside has worked on repairs and improvements to the interior of the building for the past year, and they will begin exterior repair and improvements this calendar year with the assistance of a Chalice Lighter grant.

Please join us to celebrate their efforts and their success Sunday, March 2nd, at 4 pm.